CO129-474 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [1-4] — Page 279

273

losure 2.

78064

4.

In the first place the issue of permite to

Chinese, as provided in the draft bill, would tend to

become merely a matter of form, as it would hardly be

possible to refuse them except to applicants whose short-

comings could be dealt with by other and more effective

methods; and secondly it is not desirable that a Chinese

exempted from the provisions of the bill on the ground of

Hongkong birth should be in a position to put forward such exemption as proof of British nationality, when subsequently

involved in trouble in Chinese territory. The difficulties

in connection with the formal recognition of Chinese as

British subjects have formed the subject of voluminous correspondence. There is the further point that the insistence upon permits might be strongly resented by the Chinese, and it would be unwise to incur this risk in the

present state of industrial unrest. I have learnt from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton that a decision of the Straits Settlements Government to force all Chinese

teachers to register has caused considerable excitement

in Canton.

6.

I recommend accordingly that the bill should

not apply to persons of Chinese race.

6.

I enclose a copy of a letter addressed by the International Missionary Council to the local representative of the London Missionary Society. It was in consequence

of this letter that I sent my telegram of the 20th February.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

7. E. Stabby

Governor, &c.